While American citizenship is a dream for millions, approximately 5,000 to 6,000 individuals relinquish their U.S. citizenship each year. This group includes various celebrities and politicians, often for reasons linked to taxation and political climate.
Notable figures who have given up their American citizenship include Tina Turner, the iconic rock star, who moved to Switzerland and renounced her citizenship. Eduardo Saverin, a co-founder of Facebook, gave up his citizenship in 2011 ahead of the company’s IPO to avoid hefty taxes.
Renowned director John Huston left the U.S. in the 1960s for Ireland, taking advantage of tax breaks, while Josephine Baker opted for France as an escape from racism.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, born in New York to British parents, renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2016 after expressing frustration over an “outrageous” tax bill related to the sale of his London home.
In recent years, some celebrities and public figures, such as Ellen DeGeneres and Jimmy Kimmel, have also chosen to give up their citizenship, citing political and social concerns following Trump’s re-election. Billie Joe Armstrong made a similar decision due to judicial and political changes affecting rights in the United States.
Income Taxes
The United States is one of only two countries, alongside Eritrea, that imposes taxes based on citizenship rather than residency. This requires Americans living abroad to file annual tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service in addition to those required by the country in which they reside or work.
Some banks, wary of the additional reporting burdens imposed by the U.S., either refuse to allow American citizens to open accounts or impose extra fees.
Furthermore, several nations do not permit dual citizenship, forcing American expatriates to choose which passport to retain.
Political Discontent
Increasingly, individuals who renounce their citizenship cite dissatisfaction with U.S. politics as part of their motivation. According to a survey by Greenback, conducted between 2024 and 2025, the percentage of Americans abroad contemplating renunciation rose from 30% to 49%. Among these individuals, 61% listed “taxes” as a reason, while 51% cited “dissatisfaction with the U.S. government or political direction.”
Those who renounce describe a mental tally of the challenges associated with their chosen life abroad: difficulties with banking, additional fees and reporting requirements, and the cost of hiring accountants to navigate tax obligations in two countries, along with extra taxes incurred when selling property or stocks.
For many, these troubles were manageable; however, renouncing citizenship is a irreversible decision, resulting in the loss of the right to live or work in the U.S. and potential difficulties obtaining visas for family visits.
Turmoil and Division
Then came the unrest in the U.S., increasing division, the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, legal challenges to voting rights, school shootings, and the culture of cancellation. For Republicans, “awareness” was destroying the country, whereas Democrats placed the blame on Trump.
Colin McCutcheon, 33, who grew up in Canada before moving to London, feels increasingly disconnected from America due to these unfolding events. After her grandfather’s passing, she renounced her U.S. citizenship on Election Day in 2024, feeling that the hassle of renewing her passport was no longer worth it.
With rising demand, U.S. embassies are experiencing backlogs in processing applications, prompting some to travel to Malta or Prague for quicker service.
Abby, a 41-year-old American born to an American mother, shared her experience of formally severing ties with the U.S. in Latvia, expressing a “strange existential” feeling about giving up a part of her identity.
A Complex Legal Process
The legal procedure for renunciation is rigorous, requiring applicants to have alternative citizenship and to file tax returns for the previous five years.
Wealthy individuals face an exit tax calculated as if they sold their assets upon renouncing, although most renouncers do not incur this tax.
An Irreversible Decision
Attorney Janice Flynn concludes that renouncing citizenship is indeed “an irreversible step.” She notes that some of her clients made the decision after facing challenges related to voting or voting rights, stating: “Politics and presidents change, but renouncing citizenship is final. Sometimes I tell them: don’t lose hope, things may change again.”